The Importance of Art Education

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Art education is often underestimated by many who believe that school was created to teach only analytical concepts such as mathematics and literature. However, research has shown that art courses are important, even necessary for students in elementary, middle, and high schools. These art classes may include not only visual arts but performing arts such as dance, theatre and choir. Barbara Streisand said, “Art does not exist only to entertain, but also to challenge one to think, to provoke, even to disturb, in a constant search for the truth,” (Quotations). Streisand points out that there are multiple benefits to art whether it be painted by a brush or sung from the heart. Art has the ability to allow people to see situations from different points of view not merely to look beautiful as decoration. Those who believe that art education is unimportant are simply ignorant to the benefits that involvement in the arts holds for not just the individual but for society in general. While some in society may not recognize the immediate results. Art education is beneficial to students in primary and secondary schools. Art education is defined as a specific occupational area where the subject art is taught within a public or private school system. Because art classes are publicly funded, classes are provided to students who show artistic talent and those who do not (Salmon 103). The use of art can be dated back to the days of the Neanderthal, and until the Italian Renaissance, art was only considered culturally important and was not taught (DeHoyas). At the birth of the United States of America, male and female students were taught different forms of art, where the boys’ art was typically more functional. The teachings of art were ofte... ... middle of paper ... .... 15 Feb. 2015. . "Quotations by Subject: Art." The Quotation Page. QuotationsPage.com and Michael Moncur. Web. 23 Feb. 2015. . Saal, Abbey. “Is Art Education Important Poll.” Poll. Charlotte, NC: Facebook Social Networking Site, February 2015. Salmon, Mark. "Teaching Art and Art Therapy." Opportunities in Visual Arts Careers. Chicago: VGM Career, 2001. 102-12. Print. Staff Writers. "10 Salient Studies on the Arts in Education." Online Colleges. 6 Sept. 2011. Web. 25 Feb. 2015. . Trudeau, Emily. "What Is the Importance of Art Education in 6th Grade?" AnswerBag. AnswerBag, 1 May 2010. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. .

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